ICE Arrests Mother and Daughter at Florida Hospital After Crash
Grace Calero Cabanilla survived a car crash that flipped her SUV four times — then ICE agents arrested her in the hospital room where she was recovering. Her 19-year-old daughter was taken too. The family says one of them has a pending asylum case and a valid work permit.
What happened in Poinciana, Florida
On August 20, 2026, Grace Stephanie Calero Cabanilla, 39, was driving to work with her daughter Giulianna Mía Carriel Calero, 19, in Poinciana, Florida, when another vehicle struck the passenger side of their car. The SUV flipped four times. Both women were taken by ambulance to HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital. According to Grace's cousin Jonathan Bravo, who spoke to Newsweek, they "almost died."
At the hospital, a Polk County sheriff's deputy began asking Grace about her immigration status while she was still being treated. The Polk County Sheriff's Office later told Newsweek that deputies discovered she had overstayed an expired visa "by several years." The sheriff's office said it also determined her daughter had overstayed a visa. ICE issued detainers for both women. After they were discharged from the hospital, they were transported to Polk County Jail. An arrest warrant reviewed by Newsweek confirmed that neither woman had a criminal history.
Deportation Defense Checklist — Free
Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
Video published by CNN showed the two women embracing in tears on a hospital bed as officers tried to separate them. Grace's hands were behind her back as she was escorted out of the room. A voice on the video asked: "Where's the paper? Where's the arrest warrant?" Bravo told Newsweek that Grace has a pending asylum case and a valid work permit (Form I-765, the Employment Authorization Document), while her daughter holds a visa valid until 2030. The Guardian contacted the Polk County Sheriff's Office and ICE for additional comment.
The bigger picture: who ICE is arresting
These arrests are part of a pattern drawing national attention. Recent ICE detentions have included the father of a USS Lincoln sailor who was deployed in the Middle East, as well as university instructors and researchers. The Trump administration has repeatedly said it focuses on "the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens." A Guardian analysis published in February 2026 found that 77% of people placed into deportation proceedings for the first time after Trump returned to office in 2025 had no criminal convictions.
What to do if you or a family member is detained by ICE
- Do not answer immigration status questions without a lawyer present. You have the right to remain silent. Politely say: "I want to speak with an attorney before answering any questions."
- Ask for the arrest warrant. ICE agents must show a judicial warrant signed by a judge to enter a private space or make an arrest inside a hospital room. An ICE administrative detainer is not the same as a judicial warrant.
- Contact an immigration lawyer immediately. If you have a pending asylum case or a valid work permit, your attorney can file an emergency motion to stop or delay removal. Time matters — removal can happen quickly after detention.
- Call a bond hearing hotline or legal aid organization. After detention, you may be eligible for an immigration bond hearing (a proceeding where a judge decides if you can be released while your case continues). Organizations like RAICES, ACLU, and local legal aid groups can help.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Your Rights During an ICE Encounter”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
If someone in this situation has a pending asylum case, their attorney should file an emergency stay of removal with the immigration court and notify ICE counsel in writing — this can pause deportation while the case is reviewed. A valid EAD (work permit) alone does not prevent detention, but it is evidence of an active immigration proceeding that a judge may weigh at a bond hearing. Anyone detained under these circumstances should request a bond hearing as soon as possible and consult an immigration attorney before making any statements to officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest someone at a hospital?
Yes. ICE can make arrests in hospitals. Hospitals are not formally protected "sensitive locations" under current 2026 policy. Officers do not need a judicial warrant to issue an administrative detainer, but they do need one to physically enter a private room and make an arrest. If you are in this situation, ask to see a warrant signed by a judge — not just an ICE form.
What happens if I overstayed my visa?
Overstaying a visa makes you deportable. If ICE discovers the overstay — even during a routine traffic stop or hospital visit — they can issue a detainer and begin removal proceedings. The longer the overstay, the more serious the bar to returning legally. If you have overstayed, talk to an immigration lawyer about your options before ICE finds you.
Does a pending asylum case protect me from deportation?
A pending asylum case does not automatically stop ICE from detaining you, but it is a significant legal factor. Your attorney can ask an immigration judge to release you on bond and can argue that your case should be decided before any removal. Do not miss any asylum hearings — missing a hearing can result in an automatic removal order.
What is an ICE detainer, and is it the same as an arrest warrant?
No. An ICE detainer (also called a Form I-247) is a request from ICE to a local jail or law enforcement agency to hold you for up to 48 hours so ICE can take custody. It is not a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Courts in several states have ruled that detainers alone do not give police the legal authority to hold someone against their will. If you are being held based only on a detainer, an attorney may be able to challenge that detention.